Media Status Aggregation Server for Contact Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for users to discover media content accessed by their contacts are cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring direct communication to gather information, which can be annoying for both parties, especially when done frequently.
Innovation Solution
An electronic media device with a graphical display, user interface, wireless internet connection, and contact list module that communicates with a server to collect and display media status information from contacts, allowing users to access and share media content seamlessly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users directly communicate with contacts to discover media content, then information accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that automatically collects media status information from contacts' devices and makes it available to the user. Instead of directly querying each contact, the user's device communicates with the server, which retrieves and aggregates the requested information from multiple sources, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs preliminary actions by proactively collecting and storing media status information from contacts' devices before users need it. This advance preparation allows users to quickly retrieve information without initiating direct communication with each contact at the moment of need, significantly reducing time loss.
2Loss of information
If users frequently inquire about contacts' media content, then information freshness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of frequent information requests. Users simply interact with their device's interface to request updates, and the server automatically manages communication with multiple contacts' devices, retrieving and updating information without requiring users to manually contact each person, thus maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service where the server automatically manages the collection and distribution of media status information. Once a user requests information, the server autonomously queries contacts' devices, aggregates the data, and delivers it to the user without requiring further manual intervention, making frequent information access convenient.
3Loss of information
If direct communication methods are used to gather media information, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all complex communication and data aggregation logic. Instead of each user device implementing complex protocols to directly communicate with multiple contacts' devices, the server manages these interactions, simplifying the user device's functionality while ensuring complete information collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple communication channels into a single server-based system. Instead of users implementing separate communication mechanisms with each contact, all information gathering is combined through the server, which consolidates multiple data sources into unified responses, reducing the complexity of individual user devices.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A computing system for gathering media status information and other information about contacts in a user's contact list includes a server, a user device, and one or more contacts (or contact devices). The user device communicates with the server and requests media status information regarding the contacts. Media status information may include information about the media content currently (or most recently) accessed by the contacts. The server receives the request from the user device, collects the information and sends it to the user device. The server may else send connection information to the user device. The user device receives the information and displays it to the user. The user device may include a message service such that messages can be sent to and received from the contacts. Also, the user may request particular media content accessed by the contacts.